Washington (CNN) – Representatives from eight cities met with GOP officials Monday in the nation’s capital to talk specifics about what it would take to host the Republican National Convention in 2016.

While the meeting was not a required step in the RNC’s selection process, it provides a look at which cities are seriously considering bidding on the convention where Republicans will choose the party’s next presidential nominee.

Christie was not invited to the meeting last year, sparking a war of words between the governor and the American Conservative Union, which organizes the conference. The ACU criticized Christie for not being conservative enough to address the gathering.FULL POST

Washington (CNN) - National Democrats voted unanimously Friday to approve a resolution urging San Diego Mayor Bob Filner to resign, hours before the embattled lawmaker announced he was stepping down from his office under a crush of sexual harassment allegations.

Meeting in Arizona for its summer meeting, the Democratic National Committee addressed the resolution in an afternoon session. The resolution, a draft copy of which was obtained by CNN, called on their fellow Democrat to "face the consequences of his actions, sparing his constituents the embarrassment and expense of a recall election."FULL POST

Washington (CNN) – The Democratic National Committee will vote on a resolution this week calling on San Diego Mayor Bob Filner to resign, ratcheting up pressure on the embattled Democrat who has been accused of sexually harassing multiple women.

Sixteen women have charged Filner of acting improperly and the mayor last month acknowledged having "failed to fully respect the women who work for me and with me." He voluntarily entered a behavioral therapy program, but has refused to step down despite widespread calls for him to leave office.FULL POST

Washington (CNN) – Sen. Ted Cruz will visit New Hampshire later this week to help the Republican Party raise money, but the Texas senator has declined an invitation to appear at an event this fall for a prominent Granite State social conservative organization.

Cornerstone Action had asked Cruz in May to speak at the organization's annual fundraising dinner, and praised him for his positions on social issues and education. But Cruz's office informed Cornerstone Tuesday morning the senator would not be able to make it because of a scheduling conflict.FULL POST

Washington (CNN) - New Jersey will become the second state to forbid gay conversion therapy for minors when Gov. Chris Christie signs legislation into law Monday banning the highly controversial practice, CNN has learned.

Gay conversion therapy is an effort championed by people who believe that you can change a person’s sexual orientation through counseling. The American Medical Association, American Psychiatric Association and American Psychological Association are just a handful of professional organizations that oppose this practice, saying it is harmful.FULL POST

(CNN) – New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie will release a new web video Monday that claims his opponent, Democratic gubernatorial nominee Barbara Buono, has been a failed fiscal steward of the state while serving as a key member of the New Jersey legislature.

The video, which CNN was provided a preview of, tries to tie Buono to former Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine. It specifically criticizes Buono for being responsible, in part, for tax increases, job losses and budget shortfalls during Corzine's administration.FULL POST

Manchester, New Hampshire (CNN) - Earlier this year, as Frank Guinta was driving his children to school, he turned on a local radio station and heard Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul talking about Guinta's failed attempt to win re-election to Congress just a few months earlier.

Paul was discussing the future of the Republican Party and the need for the GOP to maintain its traditional political base while also welcoming more libertarian-minded conservatives. The Kentucky senator then started citing specific data from the 2012 general election, including Guinta's race.

Washington (CNN) – The battle over Obamacare will hit the New Hampshire airwaves Wednesday by way of a new television ad accusing Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of supporting a health care law that will financially hurt American families.

Heading into 2014, Republicans are expected to increase their criticism of the health care law - which GOP strategists think will be a winning political issue in the midterm elections.